Extendible and adjustable clasp for watch-bracelets or the like



May 26, 1936. s. A. JOHNSON 2,042,154 EXTENDIBLE AND ADJUS TABLE CLASP FOR WATCH BRACELETS OR THE LIKE Filed J 1953 Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE EXTENDIBLE AND ADJUSTABLE CLASP FOR WATCH-BRACELETS OR- THE LIKE Application July 18, 1933, Serial No. 680,972

6 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles, clasps and like devices for securing the ends of wrist-watch straps, bands, bracelets and similar articles; and

more particularly to improvements in devicesof v the type indicated whereof means are provided for minutely adjusting the length of the strap or band to fit the wrist of the wearer.

One object of the invention is to provide an extendible fastening device for a strap, band or bracelet which may be conveniently and accurately adjusted in accordance with the size of the wrist to effect a snug fit of the strap or band thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated wherein the adjusting elements are maintained in their adjusted relationship when the clasp is unfolded or opened out so that the band or bracelet may be replaced on the wrist without necessitating readjustment of the clasp.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated comprising a minimum number of parts adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal stock and convenient for assembling without the use of solder, screws or other extraneous parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is neat and ornamental in appearance with its mechanical adjusting means entirely concealed from view; and one which is proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional type of wrist-watch having a two-part bracelet attached thereto with its ends secured together by the present improved extendible clasping device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the clasping device showing its parts in closed or clasped relationship;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which the parts are unclasped and unfolded to extend the length of the bracelet;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts completely extended;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device with the parts shown in extended relationship;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the device illustrating the manner in which the adjusting pawl is released and the telescoping members manually extended inexpanding or contracting the length of the bracelet;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 5 showing the parts of the clasp in closed relationship with the adjusting pawl engaging the rack-member of the clasp to maintain the extendible member in its adjusted position;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the extendible members taken on line 88 of Fig. 3 and showing the sliding connection therebetween;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the upper element or cover of the clasp in inverted position;

Fig. 10 is a similar perspective view of the slidable adjusting element;

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the rack-plate; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the adjusting pawl for engagingthe rack-plate.

The present improved device comprises in gen- ,1 eral, a series of cooperating members which are hingedly connected at their ends to adapt them to be folded into overlying relationship, and to be opened out into extended position to lengthen the strap, band or bracelet having its ends connected thereto. The opposite ends of the strap, band or bracelet are attached to the free ends of the device so that when the parts thereof are folded into overlying relationship the bracelet will be drawn snugly around the wrist; and when the folding elements are opened out the bracelet will be lengthened to a considerable extent to adapt it to slide over the hand of the wearer.

The present improvement relates particularly to means for accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet to fit the wrist of the wearer. This adjustment is effected by manually telescoping a slidable member into the clasp; the slidable member being provided with means engageable with spaced detents in the clasp to maintain the parts in their adjusted relationship. The adjust- 0 ment of the telescoping elements is not disturbed when the clasp is opened and its parts unfolded into extended relationship so that the length of the bracelet remains the same for repeated applications to the wrist.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, 2 designates a conventional type of wrist-watch having bails 3 on its sides to which the ends of the opposite bracelet-sections 4 and 5 are attached by means of connectors 6. The present improved extendible clasp or fastening device is herein shown as applied to use with a band or bracelet composed of articulated links, but in other cases it may be employed with a reticulated fabric or leather strap. The term bracelet is therefore herein employed in a generic sense to designate any such form of band or strap. The main portion of the clasp comprises four cooperating extension members, namely: a base element I, a pair of relatively slidable connector elements 8 and 9, and an upper element or cover I0. These members may be constructed as stampings struck up from sheetmetal stock and curved to conform to the contour of the wearers wrist.

The base member I is of trough shape, being constituted by a relatively flat plate I I having lateral flanges I2 folded upwardly therefrom. As shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 5 and '7, the lateral flanges I2 are indented on the inside to provide outwardly projecting protuberances I3 which serve as detents for fastening the cover ID in closed position in the manner and for the purpose as later explained. At one end of the member I the plate-portion II is extended beyond the ends of the flanges I 2 and curled around to form a bearing loop I4 for receiving the end bar of the bracelet-section 4. At the opposite end of the base member I the lateral flanges I2 are extended to form ears I8 apertured to receive a hinge-pin I1, upon which the connecting member 8 is pivoted in the manner as next explained.

The connector element 8, previously mentioned, consists of a relatively flat plate l9 with lateral flanges 28 folded upwardly and then inwardly to overlie the plate-portion, thus providing longitudinal guideways 2| in which the connector element 9 is adapted to slide in the manner as later explained. The lateral flanges 20 are provided at one end with alining holes for receiving the hinge-pin I! by means of which the element 8 is pivotally connected to the base member I. To provide a smooth joint the plate-portion I9 is extended at this end and bent around to encircle the hinge-pin H between the side flanges 20.

The slidable connector 9 is constituted by a substantially channel-shaped. element having its sides bent outwardly to form runners or splines 22 adapted to be received in the guideways 2! of the connector element 8, see Fig. 8, whereby it is telescopically mounted to slide therein. As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5 one end of the channeled portion of the element 9 is bent downwardly to provide an abutment 23 adapted to engage an upwardly projecting protuberance or stop 24 on the element 8 to limit its outward sliding movement. The protuberance 24 on the element 8 isformed by indenting the metal on theunder side after the element 9 has been slid into place between the side flanges 20. The opposite end of the channel-shaped element 9 is flattened, as indicated at 25 in Fig. 4, and curled around to form a bearing loop 26 for pivotally connecting the element to a hinge-pin 29 extending between the sides of the upper clasp element or cover It? to be next described.

The cover I8, shown in detail in Fig. 9, is constituted by an arcuately-shaped plate-portion 32 having lateral flanges 33 bent downwardly therefrom. As shown in Figs. 7 and 9, the plate-portion 32 is formed with a central elevated portion extending throughout its entire length whereby to provide an inner longitudinal seat 34 for receiving a rack-like detent-plate 35 to be later described. The top of the cover I8 may be suitably engraved or otherwise ornamented to present an artistic appearance. The lateral portions 33 of the cover are bent inwardly at the bottom to form ribs or flanges 36 opposite the plate-portion 32 whereby to provide guideways 31 in which the adjusting elements, to be later described, are adapted to slide. As shown in Fig. 7, the detent-protuberances I3, previously described, are adapted to snap over the edges of the inwardly extending flanges 36 when the parts of the clasp are folded together to hold them in closed or clasped relationship.

The lateral flanges 33 are extended at one end in ears 38 having apertures for receiving the hinge-pin 29, previously referred to, which is headed over on the outside of the flanges. At this end of the cover III the plate-portion 32 is extended to provide a lip 48 adapted to be engaged by the fingernail in opening the clasp. At either side of the lip 43 are ears or tabs M which are bent at right-angles to the plate-portion 32 and used for a purpose to be later explained. The opposite end of the plate-portion 32 of the cover Ill is provided with an extension or ear 42 which is bent downwardly to form an abutment against which the detent-plate 35, to be later described, seats.

The foldable elements I, 8, 9 and I 6 of the clasp are connected to the bracelet by attaching the free end of the element 7 to the end of one section 4 while the cover I0 is connected to the other section 5 by means of a slidable adjusting element 45 to be later described. In previously used devices of the present type the folding elements remain relatively fixed in position when in closed arrangement and the over-all length thereof is of predetermined dimension. Hence, to adjust the bracelet to fit wrists varying in size it is necessary to remove one or more links or to add others thereto. In accordance with the prevailing mode, wrist-watch bracelets are composed of relatively long links and to remove one link from or to add another to the bracelet usually results in too great an alteration in the length thereof so that it is sometimes impossible to obtain the proper fit. That is to say, with previously used methods of adjusting the length of the bracelet a minute change cannot be readily obtained to secure a comfortable and snug flt about the wrist.

To obviate the difliculties above noted the present invention contemplates means for minutely adjusting the length of the bracelet to accurately fit the wrist of the wearer. present embodiment of the invention a slidable adjusting member 45 is provided for .connection with the end of the bracelet-section 5 and,.preferably, the member 45 is telescopically received within the cover member I 8 of the clasping de- 5 or strip 46 is provided on its inner edge with a series of projections or rack-teeth 50 which, as will presently appear, cooperate with a pawl or latch 65, carried on the sliding member 45, to lock the latter in its adjusted position in the cover ID.

-The number of teeth on the detent-member 35 is optional and may vary with the amount of adjustment required. The end strip 48 of the member 35 is slotted to provide a pair of spaced projections 5| adapted to underlie the ends of the ears 4| on the cover member I0 to hold the member 35 seated against the under side of the cover.

In the After the detent-member 35 is applied to place in the cover member In the ears 4| are curled around to encircle the hinge-pin 29 with their ends overlying the ears 5| to prevent displacement of this end of the member 35. Longitudinal movement of the member 35 in the opposite direction is prevented by the engagement of its end strip 41 with the depending ear 42 on the cover member ID. The member 35 is further held flat against the under side of the cover ill by the slidable adjusting element 45 which is adapted to slide therealong in the manner as later explained.

The adjusting element 45, shown in detail in Fig. 10, comprises a plate-portion 56 with lateral flanges 5'| bent downwardly therefrom and then inwardly to adapt them to slide in the guideways 31 of the cover H3. The plate-portion 56 of the element 45 is cut away centrally to form a rectangular aperture 58 which extends throughout the greater part of its length. At one end the element 45 is provided with an ear 59 which is bent down to form a loop for receiving the end bar of the bracelet-section 5, see Figs. 2, 4 and 5. One end of the rectangular aperture 58 is provided with a substantially semicircular edge 69 which is employed for a purpose as later explained. At this end of the aperture 58 the metal is slit longitudinally along the side of the flange 5'! with the slit terminating in a small rectangular opening or aperture 63 for receiving a lug 64 formed on the pawl or latch 65. The strip 67 between the large and small apertures 58 and 63 is bent upwardly in the manner as indicated at 62 in Fig. 10 for a purpose to be presently explained.

The resilient pawl or latch 65 is of hairpin shape in outline as shown in Fig. 12. Formed at the end of one of its legs is the lug 64, above mentioned, while its opposite leg terminates in a hook or catch 66 bent around at right-angles to adapt it to engage the teeth of the detentmember 35 in the manner as later explainedz Adjacent the hook or catch 66 is a second lug 63 which serves as a means for releasing the pawl 65 from engagement with the rack-teeth.

The several elements 35, 45 and 65 are assem' bled in the cover It] in the manner as next explained. The cover I9 is placed bottom side up as shown in Fig. 9 and the connector element 9 pivotally attached thereto by means of the pin 29 which is inserted through the holes in the ears 38 and headed over thereagainst. The detentmember 35 is next placed within the recessed seat 34 of the cover with its end strips 41 and 48 abutting the ears 42 and 4|, respectively, after which the ears 4| are curled around the pin 29 with their ends engaging against the projections 5| to hold the detent-member in place.

The slidable adjusting member 45 is next inserted into the cover I ll overlying the member 35 with its flanges 51 sliding in the guideways 31 provided at the sides of the cover. The latch 65 is then placed within the cover Ill between one side of its recessed seat 34 and the edge of the plateportion 45 of the detent-member 35 with its shorter leg underlying the upwardly bent strip 61. The latch 65 is slid into position with its lug 64 registering with the narrow aperture 63 and by bending down the strip 61 the lug is engaged in the aperture to fixedly secure the latch in place. With the latch 65 secured in operative position as above explained its shorter leg abuts the side of the recessed seat 34 in the cover III while its opposite longer leg will be resiliently expanded to engage one of the notches between the teeth 53 in the edge of the detent-member 35. After the parts have been assembled in the manner as above explained the end bars of the bracelet-sections 4 and 5 are fastened to the ends of the elements I and 45 and the bracelet is ready: for use.

Assuming the partsof the clasping device to be in open or extended relationship as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and the bracelet attached to the watch, it may be slipped over the hand onto the wrist of the wearer in the usual manner. To clasp the bracelet about the Wrist the connector element 9 is first telescoped into contracted relationship with the element 3 and these two parts folded upon the base member '1, see Fig. 3, after which the cover member I8 is folded into overlying relationship therewith as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be observed by reference to Fig. 7 that the lateral flanges 29 of the member 8 fit closely between the opposite sides l2 of the base member and the sides l2 of the base member, in turn, fit snugly between the inturned flanges 36 on the cover I0. The cover l0 is pressed down firmly upon the base member 1 until the detent-protuberances l3 on the sides of the latter snap across the edges of the inturned flanges 36 whereby the parts I, 8, 9 and ID are securely clasped together.

For the purpose of accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet to the size of the wrist the jeweler or other person from whom it is bought makes a permanent adjustment of the slidable extension member 45. The member 45 is slid into the cover H] to draw the ends of the bracelet together and then fixed in proper position by engaging the. latch 65 with one of the notches between the rack-teeth 50; it being understood that this adjustment is made by a fitand-try method. Once the proper adjustment is accomplished, however, no further fitting is required and the wearer is therefore relieved of the necessity of readjusting the clasp each time the bracelet is applied to: the wrist.

In removing the bracelet from the wrist the device is unclasped by inserting the fingernail under the lip or finger-grip 49 and prying the cover member l9 upwardly to free its flanges 36 from the detent-protuberances l3 on the base member The members i, 8, 9 and I6 may then be swung about their respective hinge-pins I1 and 29 and opened out in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

A convenient method for adjusting the member 45 to secure the accurate fit of the bracelet in the first instance is as next explained. With the clasping device in inverted position, that is, bottom side up, the point of a sharp instrument, indicated. at D in Fig. 6, is engaged against the lug 68 on the latch 65 to pry the catch laterally away from the rack-teeth 50 on the member 35. During this prying operation the instrument D may be engaged against the semicircular edge 68 of the member 45 to slide the latter into the cover If] to shorten the bracelet. If, on the other hand, it is required to lengthen the bracelet, by pressing the point of the instrument against the rearward edge of the lug 68 on the latch 65 the member 45 may be extended or drawn out from the cover |8 while the catch 66 is held disengaged from the teeth 50 on the rack-bar 35.

After member 45 has been adjusted in the cover In the instrument D is removed and the resilient expansion of the latch 65 forces its catch 66 into engagement with one of the notches between the opposite teeth 50; Due to the square formation of the teeth 50 the latch 65 acts to securely hold the member 45 in its adjusted position during repeated operations of applying the bracelet to and. removing it from the wrist. In other words, the adjustment is substantially permanent.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an extendible clasping device which is simple in construction, adaptedLfor economical manufacture from sheet-metal stampings", and easily. assembled without the use of solder.

Asone feature of the improvement, means are provided for accurately'adjusting the length of the. bracelet in which the device is incorporated without removing links therefrom or adding others thereto.

As anotherfeature of improvement the adjusting means is completely enclosed within the clasp and the device is thus rendered free from unsightly projections to greatly improve the appearance of the article.

The device is extremely neat and ornamental inappearance, efiicient in use and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in'the form and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting. myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type indicated, a claspmember, a toothed rack-bar on the clasp-member extending. longitudinally thereof, ears bent upwardly at the ends of said clasp-member to fixedly secure the rack-bar from longitudinal movement thereon, said clasp-member having laterally flanged portions providing guideways at its sides, a slide slidable in said guideways in overlying relation to the rack-bar, and a resilient latch carried by said slide and shaped'to engage between the teeth of the rack-bar.

2. In a device of the type indicated, a claspmember, a toothed rack extending longitudinally of the clasp-member and fixedly secured thereto, a slide overlying said rack and slidable longitudinally of the clasp-member, said slide formed with an aperture at its side, a hairpin-shaped latch arranged between the slide and the clasp-member and formed with a lug received in the aperturein the slide to secure it fixedly therewith, one leg of said latch being provided with a catch for engagement with the teeth of therack, and means for connecting the end of the. slide with the end of a bracelet.

3. Inc, clasp for bracelets or the like, a memberformedwith guideways at itssidesand 1ugs' atits' ends, a toothed rack-bar seated on'said member with one: end abuttingone of the lugs thereonand" with the lug at the opposite end rolledlover to provide a'hinge-joint with its end bearingagainst the rack-bar to hold it in'place in the member, a slide slidable in the guideways of said member,and alatch on the slideengageable with the teeth of the rack-bar to hold the slidable member in adjusted position.

4. A clasp forbracelets or the like comprising amember formed with lateral flanges shaped to provide guideways at its sides and a recessed channellextending longitudinally of its main portion, a rack-bar seated in said channel and hav-' ing teeth on itsside, an adjusting member formed with lateral flanges slidable in the guideways of the" first-mentioned member and. provided With an: aperture adjacent one of its flanges, and a; hairpin-shaped. latch seated in the channel of the first-mentioned. member and formed with a lug projecting from one. of its legs and received inthe aperture in :theiadjusting member to-secure it therewith, said latch provided on its oppositeleg with a'catch adapted to engage the teeth of the rack-bar.

5. In a device" of the type indicated, a claspmember, a rackebar of .less'width than the claspmember and having teeth on one edge, said rackbar extending along one side of the clasp-member'and fixed thereto to expose its toothed edge, a slide slidable in the clasp-member, a springelement positioned wholly between the claspmember and the slide, said'spring-element having. one end fixed to. the slide and the opposite end movable outwardly toward the side of the clasp-member, and a catch at the end" of the spring-element forengaging the teeth on the exposed edge of the rack-bar.

6. In a device of the'type indicated, a claspmember formed with lateral flanges shaped'to' provide guideways at'its sides, a toothed rack-bar on the clasp-member extending longitudinally thereof and fixed thereto, a slide formed with lateral flanges slidable longitudinally in the guideways of the'clasp-memb-er, said slide having anppening adjacent one of its flanges, and a spring element between the slide and the clasp member and having one end fixed to the slide and a projection-at the opposite end for engagement with the teeth of the rack-bar, said spring hav ing a projection adjacent'the first-mentioned projection extending through the. opening in the slide and adapted to be' engaged by a pointed instrument to release the'first-mentioned projection from engagement with the teeth. and to slide the spring and slidable member longitudinally of the clasp-member.

SYLVESTER A. JOHNSON. 

